Artificial light has been present in human life for decades but our knowledge of its effects is still insufficient. Lighting lets us be active longer, gives us a sense of security and provides aesthetic experiences. Despite all of these advantages, in urban areas artificial light also has a negative effects on the environment and human life. Although light pollution is one of the most common forms of anthropogenic environmental change, this phenomenon remains insufficiently investigated. The present work thus focuses on night sky brightness and artificial factors impacting the level of the phenomenon using Warsaw (Poland) and Fukuoka (Japan) as an example. The basis of the study is the new World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness. Moreover, we used image data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Day/Night Band and data from field research to analyse the primary artificial light characteristics in the two cities: illumination, colour temperature, peak wavelength, dominant wavelength, stimulation of photoreceptors, design of lighting fixtures and radiance. The results indicate that Warsaw (area: 517.2 km²; population: 1 777 972) is characterized by higher light pollution than Fukuoka (area: 343.5 km²; population: 1 554 229). Skyglow is primarily influenced by the number of light sources; however, local differentiation of the phenomenon depends on the spectral characteristics and design of lighting fixtures. Moreover, environmental features may affect light pollution through scattering, reflection and absorption. Outdoor lighting in Warsaw was characterized by a higher value of light illumination and greater stimulation of photoreceptors sensitive to long and medium waves. However, the lighting infrastructure in Fukuoka was also unsuitable, as it was characterised by high values of colour temperature and stimulation of photoreceptors sensitive to short waves and ganglion cells, which may be detrimental to the human body.

人造光在人类生活中已经存在了几十年，但我们对其影响的认识仍然不足。照明让我们更长时间地活跃，给我们一种安全感并提供审美体验。尽管有所有这些优点，但在城市地区，人造光也会对环境和人类生活产生负面影响。尽管光污染是人为环境变化的最常见形式之一，但这种现象仍未得到充分研究。因此，目前的工作以华沙（波兰）和福冈（日本）为例，重点关注夜空亮度和影响现象水平的人为因素。这项研究的基础是新的人工夜空亮度世界地图集。而且，我们使用来自可见红外成像辐射计套件日/夜波段的图像数据和来自实地研究的数据来分析两个城市的主要人造光特性：照度、色温、峰值波长、主波长、光感受器的刺激、照明设计固定装置和辐射。结果表明，华沙（面积：517.2 km² ; 人口：1 777 972）的特点是光污染比福冈高（面积：343.5 km ²; 人口：1 554 229）。Skyglow 主要受光源数量的影响；然而，该现象的局部分化取决于光谱特性和照明灯具的设计。此外，环境特征可能通过散射、反射和吸收影响光污染。华沙的户外照明的特点是光照度更高，对长波和中波敏感的光感受器的刺激更大。然而，福冈的照明基础设施也不适合，因为它的特点是色温值高，对短波和神经节细胞敏感的感光器受到刺激，这可能对人体有害。